Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 11 resources
How to Claim the Personal Property of Someone Who Has Died: Affidavit Procedure for Small Estates
The affidavit procedure allows people who are entitled to a dead person's (also called a decedent) personal property, to get that property without going through probate.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Living Will Registry
(Separate Website)
The Washington State Living Will Registry allows you to store your living will documents in a secure, online database. A living will gives you the power to record your medical decisions in the event you're unable to communicate and gives your physician vital information about your treatment wishes. Only authorized health care providers may access and view your documents in the registry. The registry also stores your emergency contact information so that family and next of kin can be contacted.
By: Department of Health
Mental Health Advance Directives
(Separate Website)
A mental health advance directive (MHAD) is a written document that describes your directions and preferences for treatment and care during times when you are having difficulty communicating and making decisions. It can inform others about what treatment you want or don?t want, and it can identify a person called an
?agent? who you trust to make decisions and act on your behalf.
By: DSHS - Mental Health Division
Preparing for a Death
(Separate Website)
General information on things to consider when preparing for a death.
By: Washington State Attorney General
Questions and Answers on Living Wills A living will is a paper that tells your doctors or others providing your health care when you want them to stop life-sustaining medical treatment and let you die. A health care power of attorney allows someone you appoint to make medical-treatment decisions for you if you are no longer able to make them yourself. This publication contains general information and a Living Will form you may download.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
Word File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Revocable Living Trusts
(Separate Website)
Information about what a revocable living trust is and why you might create one.
By: Washington State Bar Association
Signing Documents When Physically Unable
Sometimes a person wants to sign a document such as a power of attorney, will, or deed, but is physically unable to write her name. As long as the person is mentally competent to understand what she is signing, the fact that she cannot actually sign does not prevent the person from executing the document as long as the following procedures are followed. The laws discussed in this publication are attached at the end of the information for your reference.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Trusts
(Separate Website)
General information about the different types of trusts that can be created as part of your estate plan.
By: Washington State Bar Association
Washington Probate Instructions and Forms
(Separate Website)
How to Probate a Washington Decedent's Estate
for those who have never set foot in a Courthouse.
By: Washington Probate
Washington Wills
(Separate Website)
Information on making, changing, keeping and contesting a Will in Washington state.
By: Washington Probate
Wills
(Separate Website)
General information about Wills.
By: Washington State Bar Association
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Washington LawHelp is provided as a public service by the Northwest Justice Project in collaboration with other legal aid providers in the Alliance for Equal Justice and Washington courts.
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